Game controller

ABSTRACT

A game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the game controller includes a main body, a trigger device, and a first adjustment mechanism. The trigger device has a trigger body that extends from the main body and that pivots along a pivotal axis. The first adjustment mechanism has a first surface that contacts a second surface of the trigger body at a first point of contact when the trigger body is depressed, wherein the first adjustment mechanism is adjustable along a first axis such that the first point of contact is adjusted along the first axis.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to controllers for controllingthe play of computerized games, and more particularly to a triggermechanism of a game controller.

BACKGROUND

Game controllers include one or more actuator devices that aredepressible by an index finger or other finger of a user. Some actuatordevices may be trigger actuators, that, when depressed, generate signalsindicating an amount or degree of depression. The trigger signals aresent to a game console and used to control a feature of the game.

During game play, in some instances, it is desirable to depress thetrigger actuator only a certain amount. For example, when controllingthe trigger mechanism of a simulated weapon such as a machine gun, it isdesirable to depress the trigger to a certain position such that firingthe weapon has been achieved. Once firing the weapon has been achieved,it is not desirable in some situations to depress the trigger anyfurther even though the user may do so. In many cases depressing thetrigger further does not change any in-game features and therefore onlyincreases the time in which successive trigger pulls can be made. As canbe appreciated, not all features in game play have the same desiredposition. It may be difficult for a user to intentionally depress thetrigger to a particular position.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods and systems foradjusting the trigger mechanism such that a set stop position may beachieved during game play. Furthermore, other desirable features andcharacteristics of the present invention will become apparent from thesubsequent detailed description of the invention and the appendedclaims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and thisbackground of the invention.

SUMMARY

A game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the game controllerincludes a main body, a trigger device, and a first adjustmentmechanism. The trigger device has a trigger body that extends from themain body and that pivots along a pivotal axis. The first adjustmentmechanism has a first surface that contacts a second surface of thetrigger body at a first point of contact when the trigger body isdepressed, wherein the first adjustment mechanism is adjustable along afirst axis such that the first point of contact is adjusted along thefirst axis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front of an exemplary game controllerin accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a back of the game controller of FIG. 1in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a side of the game controller ofFIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented inthe preceding technical field, background, brief summary or thefollowing detailed description. As used herein, the term module refersto any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component,processing logic, and/or processor device, individually or in anycombination, including without limitation: application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared,dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software orfirmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitablecomponents that provide the described functionality.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, a game controller 100 is shown thatincludes one or more trigger adjustment mechanisms in accordance withvarious embodiments. Although the figures shown herein depict an examplewith certain arrangements of elements, additional intervening elements,devices, features, or components may be present in an actualembodiments. It should also be understood FIGS. 1-2 are merelyillustrative and may not be drawn to scale.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-2, the game controller 100 generally includes amain body 102 and one or more actuator devices disposed thereon. Themain body 102 may be configured to be held by a player or user of agame. The actuator devices generate signals that are transmitted (e.g.,wired or wirelessly) to a game console (not shown) and/or processedwithin the game controller 100 for game play.

In various embodiments, a front side 103 of the game controller 100(shown in FIG. 1) includes actuator devices 104 a-104 n that, whendepressed or manipulated by a finger or thumb of the user, generatesignals that indicate the depression of the button or a direction ordegree in which the button was manipulated. For example, one or more ofthe actuator devices 104 a-104 g may be digital devices (e.g., selectionbuttons, direction pads, etc.) that generate digital signals based onthe depression of the actuator device. In another example, one or moreof the actuator devices 104 h-104 n may be analog devices (e.g.,joysticks, etc.) that generate analog signals based on manipulation ofthe actuator device.

A back side 105 of the game controller 100 (shown in FIG. 2) similarlyincludes actuator devices 106 a-106 n that, when depressed ormanipulated by a finger or thumb of the user, generate signals thatindicate the depression of the button or a direction or degree in whichthe button was manipulated. For example, one or more of the actuatordevices 106 a-106 b may be digital devices (e.g., selection buttons, orother buttons) that generate digital signals based on the depression ofthe actuator device.

In various embodiments, at least one of the actuator devices 106 a-106 non the back side 105 of the game controller 100 is a trigger device 108.The trigger device 108 includes a trigger body 110 that is depressible.The trigger device 108 may be an analog device that, when depressedgenerates an analog signal based on an amount or degree of thedepression.

In various embodiments, the trigger device 108 includes at least oneadjustment mechanism 112 in accordance with various embodiments. In oneexample, the adjustable adjustment mechanism 112 extends through themain body 102 at a location below the trigger body 110 and adjusts astop position of the trigger device 108. For example, the adjustableadjustment mechanism 112 includes a surface area that contacts a surfacearea of the trigger body 110 when the trigger body 110 is depressed acertain amount. The contact of the two surface areas stops the triggerbody 110 from further movement.

As shown in more detail in the cross sectional side view of FIG. 3 (fromthe section plane Y of FIG. 2), the trigger body 110 pivots along apivot axis 114 which may be substantially perpendicular to one of thesurfaces of the main body 102. In one example, a top side 115 of thetrigger body 110 pivots between point A (a start point) and point B (astop point). The adjustable adjustment mechanism 112 is used to adjustthe point B (the stop point) to B′ (an adjusted stop point).

For example, at least a portion of the adjustable adjustment mechanism112 extends through the main body 102 and into an inner cavity 116 ofthe main body 102. When the trigger body 110 is depressed enough (asshown), a surface area 118 of a bottom side 119 of the trigger body 110contacts a surface area 120 at an end of the adjustable adjustmentmechanism 112 to stop the trigger body 110 from further depression. Thesurface area 118 may extend along the entire bottom side 119 of thetrigger body 110 or may include only a portion of the bottom side 119 ofthe trigger body 110 (e.g., a protrusion from one or more sidewalls).For example, in game controllers for the Xbox®, a protrusion associatedwith a set screw (not shown) may be used as the surface area 118.

Given the length of the adjustable adjustment mechanism 112 shown, thesurface area 120 of the adjustable adjustment mechanism 112 (and thus,the contact position) may be adjusted to any number of positions betweenpoint C and point D along an axis 122. The axis may be substantiallyperpendicular to the pivot axis 114. Adjusting the contact positioncauses the point B on the pivot axis 114 to be adjusted to point B′. Itshould be noted that although the surface area 120 and surface area 118are described and illustrated herein, the contact between the adjustmentmechanism 112 and the trigger body 110 is not limited to surfacecontact. Rather, the adjustment mechanism 112 may contact the triggerbody 110 through point to point contact, or point to surface contact.Thus, the embodiments herein are merely exemplary.

For exemplary purposes, the embodiments described and shown include ascrew as the adjustable adjustment mechanism 112. The screw is receivedin screw threads 124 of the back side 105 (FIG. 2) of the main body 102.The screw threads 124 may be cut into the main body 102 or may be partof a thread insert (not shown) that is inserted into an opening in themain body 102. As can be appreciated, in various other embodiments, theadjustable adjustment mechanism 112 may be implemented as a plungerdevice, a screw or rod with a lever or arm attached, a screw or rod withany number of modifications or attachments, or any other element that isadjustable relative to the main body 102 to adjust the movement of thetrigger device 108.

With reference back to FIG. 2, in addition to the adjustable adjustmentmechanism 112, in various embodiments, the trigger device 108 mayfurther include a non-adjustable adjustment mechanism 126. Thenon-adjustable adjustment mechanism 126 extends through a top side 127(FIG. 3) of the trigger body 110 to provide a non-adjustable stopposition of the trigger device 108. For example, the non-adjustableadjustment mechanism 126 includes a surface area that contacts a surfacearea of the main body 102 when the trigger body 110 is depressed acertain amount. The contact of the two surface areas stops the triggerbody 110 from further movement.

As shown in more detail in the cross sectional view of FIG. 3, invarious embodiments, when the trigger body 110 is depressed enough, asurface area 128 of the non-adjustable adjustment mechanism 126 thatprotrudes out from the trigger body 110 contacts a surface area 130 themain body 102 to stop the trigger body 110 from further depression. Whenthe non-adjustable adjustment mechanism 126 is in place, the pivot rangeof the top side 115 of the trigger body 110 is between point A and pointB″ along the pivot axis 114. When the non-adjustable adjustmentmechanism 126 is removed, the pivot range of the top side 114 of thetrigger body 110 is between point A and point B or B′(depending onwhether the adjustable adjustment mechanism 112 is in place).

For exemplary purposes, the embodiments described and shown implementthe non-adjustable adjustment mechanism 126 as a screw that extendsthrough a top side 127 of the trigger body 110. The screw is received inscrew threads 132 of the trigger body 110. The screw threads 132 may becut into the trigger body 110 or may be part of a thread insert (notshown) that is inserted into an opening in the trigger body 110. As canbe appreciated, in various other embodiments, the non-adjustableadjustment mechanism 126 may be implemented at various locations of thetrigger body 110. For example, the non-adjustable adjustment mechanism126 may extend through a side or sides of the trigger body 110, so longas when depressed, the non-adjustment mechanism 126 contacts a surfacearea of the main body 102. As can further be appreciated, in variousembodiments, the non-adjustable adjustment mechanism 126 may beimplemented as a rod inserted into holes, a screw screwed into threads,or any other mechanism for creating a contact surface that stops themovement of the trigger body 110 relative to the main body 102.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. Itshould be understood that various changes can be made in the functionand arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game controller, comprising: a main body; atrigger device having a trigger body that extends from the main body andthat pivots along a pivotal axis; and a first adjustment mechanismextending through the main body and having a first surface that contactsa second surface of the trigger body at a first point of contact belowthe trigger device when the trigger body is depressed, wherein the firstadjustment mechanism is adjustable along a first axis such that thefirst point of contact is adjusted along the first axis.
 2. The gamecontroller of claim 1, wherein the contact stops the trigger body fromfurther depression.
 3. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the firstadjustment mechanism extends through an opening in the main body.
 4. Thegame controller of claim 3, wherein the first adjustment mechanismcomprises a screw.
 5. The game controller of claim 4, wherein the mainbody includes threads cut into the opening for receiving the screw. 6.The game controller of claim 4, wherein the main body includes a threadinsert in the opening for receiving the screw.
 7. The game controller ofclaim 1, further comprising a second adjustment mechanism having a thirdsurface that contacts a fourth surface of the main body at a secondpoint of contact when the trigger body is depressed.
 8. The gamecontroller of claim 7, wherein the contact stops the trigger body fromfurther depression.
 9. The game controller of claim 7, wherein thesecond adjustment mechanism extends through an opening in the triggerbody.
 10. The game controller of claim 8, wherein the second adjustmentmechanism comprises a screw.
 11. The game controller of claim 9, whereinthe trigger body includes threads cut into the opening for receiving thescrew.
 12. The game controller of claim 9, wherein the trigger bodyincludes a thread insert in the opening for receiving the screw.
 13. Agame controller, comprising: a main body; a trigger device having atrigger body that extends from the main body and that pivots along apivotal axis; and a first adjustment mechanism extending through themain body and that is adjustable to a first position between a range ofpositions and that contacts the trigger body below the trigger device tostop the trigger body when the trigger body is depressed an amount thatcorresponds to the first position.
 14. The game controller of claim 13,wherein the first adjustment mechanism extends through an opening in themain body.
 15. The game controller of claim 13, wherein the firstadjustment mechanism comprises a screw, and wherein the main bodyincludes threads cut into the opening for receiving the screw.
 16. Thegame controller of claim 13, wherein the first adjustment mechanismcomprises a screw, and wherein the main body includes a thread insert inthe opening for receiving the screw.
 17. The game controller of claim13, further comprising: a mechanism that is non-adjustable and thatcontacts the main body to stop the trigger body when the trigger body isdepressed a second amount that corresponds to a second position.
 18. Thegame controller of claim 17, wherein the mechanism extends through anopening in the trigger body.
 19. The game controller of claim 17,wherein the mechanism comprises a screw, and wherein the trigger bodyincludes threads cut into the opening for receiving the screw.
 20. Thegame controller of claim 17, wherein the mechanism comprises a screw,and wherein the trigger body includes a thread insert in the opening forreceiving the screw.